Five on Friday: Healthy Tips & Snacks

Hello Friends! Happy weekend to you! 

I thought that since January tends to bring to mind fresh starts in the form of goals or resolutions, that I would share some healthy tips and snacks for my 5 today. These are things that I have either learned from reading about being healthier, learned from personal experience, and/or things pinned from my pinterest boards. I've set some personally motivating goals for myself so that's also why a lot of this is on my mind (or in my regimen) right now. ;) 

ONE

photo courtesy: clip art

I think an important rule I'm following right now is making sure my kitchen is stocked with healthy snacks. I'm making more effort to prep food right away so it's snack ready and in an easy to grab & go place. I've also made more effort to drink more water. I make water more enjoyable by adding fruit, sometimes even fresh herbs for flavor. Or I use essential oils as flavoring as well. I will also have my workout clothes all ready to go the night before, so I can grab them first thing in the AM.

I like to think of all of these things as setting myself up for success! If I think and plan ahead it often seems to make all the difference in the world to stick to my goals. 

TWO

          

photo courtesy: clip art

I have also found that music is a huge motivator for me! When I put in my headphones I just want to move around. I use music for cleaning around my house too. Makes any "chore" that much more enjoyable. 

 I read in an exercise study that people that listened to music when they worked out performed 15-20% better. So put on the tunes and go to town!! 

THREE

photo courtesy: clip art

I think it also helps my progress when I hold myself accountable. By using a journal to write things down, and I like to use apps, I'm better about the choices I make. I like the "my fitness pal" app for tracking my calories, water etc. But I like to write in a journal to mentally and spiritually motivate myself. I'll write about my feelings and about what I think is working and what isn't. There's something about spelling it all out for myself that helps me visualize it all more clearly. 

I think it's important to use a lot of positive self talk and build ourselves up when we're starting new goals. Being hyper critical doesn't seem to ever be effective for true success from my life experiences. I also lean on my faith and use a devotional daily to help in this area as well. 

FOUR

I have found that "beating myself to the punch" - so to speak - also helps me stay on track. For example: when making a nice family dinner, I have sometimes made extra so I could freeze it & it's there waiting for me in the future. By having something already done that I can easily bake on a busy week when I need it, prevents us from grabbing fast food or making other poor choices on busy kiddo sports nights. I have also done things like brush my teeth right after dinner so I'm not tempted to nibble later. Or even something as simple as putting away the food right after everyone dishes up what they want - prevents us from going for second helpings that we don't need.  I try to make good choices right away to beat myself to the punch of making a poor choice later. 

FIVE

I thought I would share a few fun snacks we've been enjoying lately, as well as some fun ones I'd like to make in the future that I've pinned on my pinterest board.

We love to snack on frozen grapes! I take a big clump of grapes and break it down into little clumps that I wash, dry and put in snack baggies then throw on the freezer. It changes the texture and even the flavor a bit - and they just become this addicting snack (better than chips!)

And today I made a batch of angel food cupcakes. I love to bake and we like our "treats" over here. So what a great way to have healthier version of a treat. Instead of frosting we use a little cool whip on top and add a few berries - all for around 60 calories a cupcake - yay!!

I also plan to make these yummy frozen yogurt fruit snacks you can find on pinterest here.

And these yummy frozen peanut butter chocolate banana bites you can find here.

And I have made these maple vanilla baked pears before and they were absolutely delicious!! You can find them here.

And on the savory side what kiddo wouldn't find these snacks fun? 

And I think the baked parmesan zucchini fries found here look amazing!

And I live in reality and I know I will always love to cook and bake - and I really love to eat! Lol But I think trying to incorporate a healthier lifestyle is important...especially as I've now somehow wondered into middle age. 

This middle age place is rough -  where I don't lose weight as easily as I used to, and I don't bounce back from things as well as I did when I was younger.  Being smarter means I won't have to pay more of the price later. I want to set a good example for my kiddos and I also want the energy and ability to run around with grandkiddos one day.  

How are you doing with any 2017 goals you've set for yourself? Or any great tips you want to share with me? I find a lot of this focus interesting and fun!  Blessings on your weekend Friends. xo 

I'm linking with Amy of Love Made My Home for Five on Friday.